Last Updated on 02/28/2025 by Lara Carretero
The last Nikon cameras that blew us away were the Z9, the Zf, and the Z6 III. However, since then, there has been no real news of which cameras they will release. Recently, a new rumor has been circulating on the internet, which has excited people. This is the launch of a camera that is set to battle against Sony. I know you don’t believe it, but hey, Nikon has proved itself in recent years, so this could be true. Here is what the camera is all about.
According to The New Camera, the company is working on a new mirrorless flagship prototype that features a global shutter sensor. The articles note that the initial prototypes are “restricted” to the lab, and the sources close to the project have called this the ZX (not an official name. The article further adds:
When we asked about the arrival date and competitors, the camera is a direct competitor of the Canon R3 or Sony A9 Mark III. The expected arrival timeline points towards Q4 of 2026.
Furthermore, more than 50 photographers will be given the Nikon camera to test in the first quarter of 2026. So, there is a chance that you will hear more about this. However, this rumor is not exactly new and has been going around since 2023. As Nikon Rumors had reported two years ago, a camera of similar specification was in talks at Nikon. But back then, it was called the Z9H. It was supposed to work just like the D1H and D1X, but it was claimed to have “half the amount of pixels” of the Z9. furthermore, it was called the company’s “fastest” FX-format camera, which indicates it could have a global shutter.
For the unversed, both the D1H and D1X have been favoured by Nikonians. The D1H was used by professional photographers and offered specs such as a 40-frame buffer, 5 frames per second (FPS), cleaner images at higher ISOs, and improved ease of use, amongst others. However, it came with a hefty price tag, too, says Ken Rockwell. In contrast, the D1x was aimed at amateurs and had features such as a 9-frame buffer, 3 frames per second (FPS), 25% higher resolution than the D1H, and ISO 800 sensitivity (vs. ISO 1,600 on the D1H).
Thus, considering Nikon’s legacy, it makes sense that the company would want to push boundaries, especially when Sony has managed to beat them with its sensor. Furthermore, with a new global shutter, the price tag of the camera increased, too. For instance, the A9 III was close to a hefty $6000 tag. In 2026, the Nikon variant may achieve much better results at a lower price.
In addition, the Nikon Z9 and Z8 are power horses, but they seem to cost a little less than competitors. However, if the company manages to crack into this tech at an affordable rate, it is likely to have all the headlines to itself for that year. In fact, it is also likely to win more awards. However, this will only be possible over time.
Nikon Z9 is a pretty great camera for fast-paced action, and with new updates, they have also added the ability to focus on people of color in low light. In that regard, if a global shutter is added, we may get an unbeatable camera: it’s fast and inclusive. The latter is the need of the hour, as we seem to be sliding back when it comes to this progress. Nikon may be onto something, but we will only find it out later.